The Best Draft Picks

Matt Cassel, USC, 2005, 230th overall

The man whom most Pats fans never gave a second thought about stepped in masterfully for the injured Tom Brady for the entirety of the 2008 season. Matt Cassel led them to an 11-5 season, despite missing the playoffs. He was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason.

David Givens, Norte Dame, 2002, 253rd overall

Givens showed a lot of promise during his career, which ended prematurely. Givens had just signed a new contract (five years) with the Tennessee Titans, before suffering a career ending injury in the Week 5 that season.

Givens had close to 60 receptions in 2004 and 2005, and had six touchdown receptions in 2003.

Richard Seymour, Georgia, 2001, 6th overall

For some reason, before the 2009 season, Belichick thought it would be a good idea to trade Seymour. And we all know how that worked out.

One of Belichick's best ideas, however, was drafting him. Seymour had at least four sacks a season except for 2003 (the year he was drafted) and in 2007, when he only played in 9 games. In both seasons, respectively, Seymour had 3.0 sacks and 1.5.

Tom Brady, Michigan, 2000, 199th overall

There is virtually no need to explain. Brady had been a virtual unknown before he began stepping in for Drew Bledsoe during the 2001 season. He turned into one of the best quarterbacks in the league, maybe next only to Drew Brees and Peyton Manning today.